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For outspoken England coach Eddie Jones has an extremely high opinion of himself while Joe Schmidt has guided Ireland to two championships, was the architect of them ending New Zealand’s world record winning streak last autumn and Leinster pocketing successive Heineken Cup triumphs.

And it’s not pushing the envelope too far to suggest brash Australian motor-mouth Jones and astute tactical mind Schmidt may believe the Lions would have won a pulsating Test series with the All Blacks if either of them were in command, rather than draw it.

Gatland said: “Trying to win in New Zealand is the ultimate challenge. I thought it was a hiding to nothing. It is one of those positions that you are offered and it’s very difficult to walk away from.

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“Once I was offered the job you can’t walk away from that sort of challenge, particularly someone like myself when you are competitive.”

It was a virtual done deal Gatland would be offered the job after being at the helm of the 2-1 Test series success over Australia in 2013 because that’s how the Four Home Unions, who are masters of the Lions brand, work.

Although the powers-that-be went through the process of interviewing candidates for the trip to New Zealand with Scotland coach Vern Cotter, who is now in charge of Montpellier, throwing his hat into the ring, there was only going to be one winner.

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And that could have been the prime reason why canny pair Jones and Schmidt declined to apply for the most prestigious and high-pressure position in British and Irish rugby.

Gatland maintained he used his understanding of the New Zealand psyche – Schmidt is also a Kiwi – to the tourists’ advantage, and will leave for Wales feeling vindicated by his performance as Lions boss.

“In the past people have come to New Zealand and haven’t been quite prepared about culturally what you’re facing,” he claimed.

“There are strengths in New Zealand as a nation, in terms of the isolation and being so far away, and galvanising themselves to have a go at anything. But there can be cracks at times as well.

All Blacks' head coach Steve Hansen and Lions head coach Warren Gatland after the game (Image: INPHO/James Crombie)

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“The All Blacks are hardly ever vulnerable but last week there were a few comments made that I hadn’t expected.

“Someone (New Zealand coach Steve Hansen) mentioned the result and said that if they lost the sun would still come up tomorrow and it wouldn’t be the end of the world,

“Those are comments that you don’t hear very often coming out of the New Zealand camp.”

The Lions have still only won one Test series in New Zealand, when Wales No.10 great Barry John pulled the strings in 1971. But their 2017 draw now ranks as their second-most successful return against the All Blacks.

2017 Lions series against New Zealand ends in a draw

Gatland refused to rule out coaching the Lions in 2021 but confirmed he would definitely step down as Wales boss following the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

“I would have been there for long enough (12 years) and so I don’t know what I’m going to do post-2019, there’s no plans at the moment,” he continued.

But Gatland, with three Six Nations titles, a World Cup semi-final, European Cup and English Premiership triumphs also on a glowing CV, can expect lucrative job offers to be heading his way when he becomes available.

“I’m not worried about the future. I know there will be something out there for me,” he said.

Sir Ian McGeechan and Warren Gatland were part of the Lions management team on the 2009 tour of South Africa

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However, the sensible money is, as long as he sees out his Wales contract with a degree of success, could be on him being Lions coach in South Africa in four years time when he will be 57.

For Gatland, who was assistant to Sir Ian McGeechan when the Lions narrowly lost an epic and brutal Test series 2-1 to the then world champions, has unfinished business against the Springboks.

And, with the furore over whether a serving national coach should be given time off to be Lions coach, being formally appointed after the 2019 World Cup and having 19 months to focus fully on the tour of South Africa may be right up Gatland’s street.

“You never say never. Maybe after 2019, there’s a chance to think about 2021. To do the three of them as a head coach and win two and draw one wouldn’t be a bad achievement,” he beamed.